About the book
'A wise, generous book' Washington Post
From acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips, a meditation on what we must give up to feel more alive.
To give up or not to give up?
The question can feel inescapable but the answer is never simple.
Giving up our supposed vices is one thing; giving up on life itself is quite another. One form of self-sacrifice feels positive, something to admire and aspire to, while the other is profoundly unsettling, if not actively undesirable.
There are always, it turns out, both good and bad sacrifices, but it is not always clear beforehand which is which. We give something up because we believe we can no longer go on as we are. In this sense, giving up is a critical moment - an attempt to make a different future.
In On Giving Up, acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips illuminates both the gaps and the connections between the many ways of giving up, and helps us to address the central question: what must we give up in order to feel more alive?
'One of the finest prose stylists in the language, an Emerson of our time' John Banville
'The best living essayist writing in English' John Gray
Editions of On Giving Up
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780241656594
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781405958035
- EBook
- ISBN 9780241656600
Read an Excerpt
'A wise, generous book' Washington Post
From acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips, a meditation on what we must give up to feel more alive.
To give up or not to give up?
The question can feel inescapable but the answer is never simple.
Giving up our supposed vices is one thing; giving up on life itself is quite another. One form of self-sacrifice feels positive, something to admire and aspire to, while the other is profoundly unsettling, if not actively undesirable.
There are always, it turns out, both good and bad sacrifices, but it is not always clear beforehand which is which. We give something up because we believe we can no longer go on as we are. In this sense, giving up is a critical moment - an attempt to make a different future.
In On Giving Up, acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips illuminates both the gaps and the connections between the many ways of giving up, and helps us to address the central question: what must we give up in order to feel more alive?
'One of the finest prose stylists in the language, an Emerson of our time' John Banville
'The best living essayist writing in English' John Gray
Frequently Asked Questions
What is On Giving Up about?
'A wise, generous book' Washington Post
From acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips, a meditation on what we must give up to feel more alive.
To give up or not to give up?
The question can feel inescapable but the answer is never simple.
Giving up our supposed vices is one thing; giving up on life itself is quite another. One form of self-sacrifice feels positive, something to admire and aspire to, while the other is profoundly unsettling, if not actively undesirable.
There are always, it turns out, both good and bad sacrifices, but it is not always clear beforehand which is which. We give something up because we believe we can no longer go on as we are. In this sense, giving up is a critical moment - an attempt to make a different future.
In On Giving Up, acclaimed psychoanalyst Adam Phillips illuminates both the gaps and the connections between the many ways of giving up, and helps us to address the central question: what must we give up in order to feel more alive?
'One of the finest prose stylists in the language, an Emerson of our time' John Banville
'The best living essayist writing in English' John Gray
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in On Giving Up?
Health, Relationships and Personal development > Self-help, personal development and practical advice > Popular psychology
Where can I read a sample of On Giving Up?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780241656594
Who is/are the Author/s of the book On Giving Up?
Adam Phillips
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
On Giving Up is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780241656594) and paperback(ISBN 9781405958035) and ebook(ISBN 9780241656600)
Where can I buy On Giving Up online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy On Giving Up from below
Where can I buy On Giving Up?